When booking a train ticket in India, you might come across different types of waiting lists. Understanding these can help you increase your chances of confirmation and plan your journey wisely. In this guide, we will explore the different types of waiting lists in IRCTC, their meaning, and their confirmation probability.
What is a Waiting List in Indian Railways?
A waiting list (WL) means that all available seats on a train are booked, and your ticket will only get confirmed if another passenger cancels their ticket. However, not all waiting lists are the same, and some have higher confirmation chances than others.
All Types of Waiting List in Train Reservations
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of waiting lists in Indian Railways and what they mean:
1. General Waiting List (GNWL)
- Most common waiting list for long-distance trains.
- Higher chances of confirmation.
- If someone cancels their confirmed ticket, GNWL passengers get preference.
2. Remote Location Waiting List (RLWL)
- Assigned to small intermediate stations on the train’s route.
- Lower chances of confirmation than GNWL.
- Confirmation depends on cancellations from the specific station’s quota.
Must Read: GNWL vs RAC
3. Pooled Quota Waiting List (PQWL)
- For passengers traveling short distances.
- Lower priority than GNWL.
- Fewer seats are reserved under this quota, so confirmation chances are moderate to low.
4. Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC)
- Allows passengers to board the train even if a full seat is not confirmed.
- You get a shared berth, meaning two RAC passengers will be allocated a single side-lower berth.
- Higher chances of confirmation than any waiting list.
Must Read: What is RAC in Indian Railways?
5. Tatkal Quota Waiting List (TQWL)
- Applied when Tatkal tickets are booked but waitlisted.
- No RAC for Tatkal quota; if not confirmed, the ticket is automatically canceled.
- Lower chances of confirmation compared to GNWL.
6. Roadside Quota Waitlist (RQWL)
- Issued when a passenger books a ticket from an unscheduled stop.
- Confirmation is rare, as these quotas are limited.
7. DPWL (Duty Pass Waitlist) In Railway
- Applicable for railway employees traveling on duty passes.
- Limited and given lower priority than GNWL.
Read: GNWL in Railway: A Guide to General Waiting List, Confirmation Chances & More
8. REGRET/WL (No More Booking Permitted)
- Appears when waiting list limits are exhausted.
- No further bookings allowed.
- Passengers must look for alternative travel options.
9. Released (Alternative Accommodation Provided)
- The ticket isn’t canceled, but the passenger is given an alternative train or class.
Which Waiting List Has the Best Confirmation Chances?
Here’s a quick comparison of the confirmation probability for each type of waiting list:
| Waiting List Type | Chances of Confirmation |
| GNWL (General) | High ✅ |
| RLWL (Remote Location) | Low ❌ |
| PQWL (Pooled Quota) | Moderate ⚠️ |
| RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) | Very High 🔥 |
| TQWL (Tatkal) | Low ❌ |
| RQWL (Roadside) | Very Low ❌ |
| DPWL (Duty Pass) | Low ❌ |
FAQs on Types of Waiting List in Indian Railways
1. How many types of waiting lists are there in the railway?
There are 10 types of waiting lists in Indian Railways, including GNWL, RLWL, RAC, PQWL, and TQWL.
2. Which waiting list has the highest confirmation chances?
GNWL (General Waiting List) has the best chance of confirmation, followed by RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation).
3. Will an RLWL ticket get confirmed?
RLWL has low confirmation chances because it depends on cancellations from a specific station’s quota.
4. What happens if my ticket is in TQWL?
If your ticket is in Tatkal Quota Waiting List (TQWL) and does not get confirmed, it will be automatically canceled.
5. What should I do if my ticket is in REGRET/WL?
REGRET/WL means no further bookings are allowed. You should look for alternate routes or book in Tatkal.
Conclusion
Understanding the types of waiting lists in railway reservations is essential for planning your journey. If you’re booking a ticket, try to get GNWL for the best chances of confirmation. Always check your PNR status for updates and be prepared with alternative travel options if necessary.By knowing how Indian Railways’ waiting lists work, you can make smarter booking decisions and avoid last-minute surprises!